"His Majesty is getting old, and I'm afraid he's no longer willing to be controlled."
Yun Zong narrowed his eyes, a mocking smile playing on his lips: "Just wait, after this Mid-Autumn Festival banquet—she'll have no choice but to obey!"
The aide was overjoyed: "You already have a plan?"
“Of course,” Yun Zong sneered, “I’d like to see if she can still laugh then!”
Soon, the much-anticipated Mid-Autumn Festival banquet was held in the palace. Everyone knew that this banquet was a celebration and reward banquet for Xi Chenzhou. As soon as he arrived with his personal guards, he was greeted by a constant stream of toasts and countless flattering greetings.
He was only thinking about the young girl who hadn't arrived yet, and he didn't want to talk to the courtiers around him who were just like Yun Zong. He casually sent them away and waited alone in a corner.
Soon, the palace servants announced in a loud voice that the generals should enter the palace. Xi Chenzhou led his soldiers to express their gratitude and rise. His personal guards remained in the square, while he led everyone up the white marble steps.
Enter the palace, receive the imperial decree and be appointed!
"By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Your Majesty's benevolence extends far and wide, encompassing all things under Heaven and on Earth, and all are honored and respected; Your Majesty commands the vast empire, extending to every corner of the world, where none fail to obey your commands. In the past, our Imperial Ancestor gave birth to many children. The tortoise-shaped inscription and the dragon emblem were bestowed upon the distant land of Fusang; the inscription on the chaste stone and the great seal script were honored and bestowed upon the mountains that guard the nation!"
"General Xi Chenzhou of the Northwest Army, who pacified the Northwest, protected the borders, drove out the northern barbarians, and vanquished the barbarians, established peace and stability for the country, is a man of unparalleled loyalty and merit, whose name is known in this era and whose achievements will last for millennia, is hereby granted the title of First Class General in accordance with the will of Heaven."
The palace servant's high-spirited voice suddenly stopped, a hint of panic flashing across his face. Yun Zong narrowed his eyes. Next, the Empress should be choosing a title for Xi Chenzhou. Why was this palace servant so flustered?
Could something have gone wrong?
A sudden surge of unease and agitation rose within him. This unease and agitation had begun when Xi Chenzhou led his troops into the city, and it continued to grow to an extent he could hardly imagine.
"—He is hereby granted the title of First-Class Marquis, Marquis of Zhenbei, and bestowed with 50,000 mu of fertile land and 100,000 taels of gold and silver!"
With a loud crash, the entire hall erupted into chaos, and Yun Zong nearly slammed his fist on the table in anger.
Marquis Zhenbei, what north does he guard? In the past, titles were named after the fiefdoms in various places, such as Xiangyang, Wuyang, and Puyang. Why is he directly named Zhenbei here?
North—meaning the extreme north, the Purple Star of the Northern Heaven, has always been a symbol of the emperor. If the empress bestowed upon him the title of "Suppressor of the North," wouldn't that mean she wanted him to be her henchman?!
That……
Will Xi Chenzhou accept it?
Amidst the intense attention, the man in black and silver armor slightly curved his lips.
Kneel down.
"Your subject accepts the imperial decree and expresses his gratitude!"
The palace attendants were still reading out the rewards bestowed upon the other soldiers, but no one was paying attention anymore; everyone had only one thought in their minds:
Could it be that Xi Chenzhou really intends to...?
To be the Queen's backer?
Thinking this all the way, it soon became dark. The palace banquet was held in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, and the band played the Zhonghe Shao music. The princes and ministers sat in the hall for a long time. The high-ranking officials of the third rank in civil and military affairs and above took their seats on the Danbi steps, while the rest went under the blue curtain.
Xi Chenzhou and others were only granted titles of nobility, and their official ranks were not yet determined, but since they were all victorious heroes, they were all seated in the honor.
The Empress had not yet arrived, and the atmosphere inside the palace was relatively relaxed and comfortable. The courtiers were exchanging pleasantries in hushed tones, eating, drinking, watching the singing and dancing, and chatting casually. Xi Chenzhou had no interest in the singing and dancing, so he took the opportunity of drinking tea to carefully observe the casual conversations among the courtiers.
These casual conversations reveal who is allied with whom and who is at odds with whom. This kind of intelligence is essential for gaining a foothold in the court.
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